Big rise in failing schools

A dramatic increase in the number of failing schools is revealed today.

The figures mean that thousands more children are not receiving an adequate education.

It will come as a serious embarrassment to ministers who have hailed a steady decline in the number of schools found failing by Ofsted as vindication of their education policies.

The number of failed schools has risen by almost 25 per cent, according to statistics published today in the annual report by chief schools inspector David Bell.

His figures are expected to show that 160 schools were failed last year compared with 129 the previous year. The report is also expected to highlight concern over poor teaching methods in the worst schools. Since the period covered by today's report, the trend has accelerated, with 46 schools failed in September and October last year, up 35 per cent on the same period in the previous year.

Teaching unions blame a new inspection framework which they claim has "moved the goalposts" and is now leading inspectors to condemn schools where the education was previously judged satisfactory.

Mr Bell's report is expected to point to a steady improvement in overall education standards. There has been a significant reduction in the amount of teaching judged unsatisfactory.

But he is expected to point to the fragile nature of rising standards, particularly in the inner cities. Test results in primary schools have stalled over the same period.

The total number of failed schools for 2002-03 is 272 - down from an all-time high of 515 in 1997-98. Of the 160 schools deemed to be newlyfailed last year, 99 were primary, 35 secondary, 18 special schools and eight were pupil referral units.

Poor teaching and weak head teachers are said to be mainly to blame. Mr Bell also identifies 415 outstanding schools - one of which is Soham Village College.

The report is published on the day this newspaper celebrates the best and most improved schools in the Evening Standard London School Awards.